Hearing God

Beltway Park Church

Hearing God

October 8, 2023 • David McQueen • John 10:1–11

More is found as we hear and follow God’s voice (John 10:1-10). Jesus is our Good Shepherd, and each of us as His followers – as His sheep – can and should know His voice. Hearing the voice of God, however, is not automatic; it is something we must learn and grow in. The primary way God speaks to all people throughout history is through the Bible. It is not merely a book to be read, but it is God’s voice to be heard. Every other means of hearing God is filtered, tested, and discerned through the Bible. Another important way God speaks is through impressions, which is a thought or idea that comes from Him. All impressions should be consistent with the Bible and generally provide specific guidance on how to fulfill a Biblical command or principle. Often impressions are contrary to how we normally think and require us to rely on God for strength and courage. Impressions from God also lead us to love Him and others more. In whatever way we hear God, it is not enough to simply affirm that He speaks. We must desire to hear His voice and position ourselves to receive what He wants to say.

Words Matter

November 12, 2023 • Geoffrey Turner • James 3:2–12

Our words matter (Proverbs 18:21). The Bible is clear: the tongue has power to bring life or death. The struggle, however, is that even though our words are powerful – like a rudder of a boat, a horse’s bit, or small spark that starts a forest fire – the tongue is untamable in our own strength (James 3:7-8). On our own, we are powerless to use our words to bring life. Only by the Holy Spirit and the saving grace of Jesus can our language be transformed and become life-giving. A changed heart leads to words of life (Luke 6:45). When our words bring life, they encourage others, are kind and compassionate, and express forgiveness.

Judge Not

November 5, 2023 • David McQueen • Matthew 7:1–2

Judge not, that you be not judged (Matthew 7:1-2). These words of Jesus are often culturally understood to mean that we should never say or believe that another person is wrong. Jesus, however, had a different concept in mind in this part of His Sermon on the Mount. To judge is to hold a final verdict in our minds about another person’s worth or destiny that is different from the truth of God about that person. It is seeing people as less than God sees them, and it is often adopted or developed in us from our society, our family of origin, and/or our wounds (wounds from others, or self-inflicted wounds because of our sinful choices). All ungodly judgments are ugly in the eyes of God because they contradict the gospel. Jesus paid the price of His life for every person, giving them all immeasurable worth. As His followers, we are designed and called to love others (and ourselves) like He loves them. We rid ourselves of judgments – and their torment – by asking our Heavenly Father to graciously reveal them, to forgive us for believing them, and to show us what He thinks about that person or group of people instead. We then intentionally confess our agreement with what is true.

Unless You Forgive

October 29, 2023 • David McQueen • Matthew 18:21–35

Unforgiveness produces torture; forgiveness yields freedom (Matthew 18:21-35). When we become followers of Jesus, we are forgiven a spiritual debt we could never pay. It is because we have been forgiven much that we can and should forgive others. When we refuse to extend forgiveness to someone, it is a significant act of dishonor against God and against the forgiveness we have received from Him. Unforgiveness gives the enemy the right to torment our lives, to keep us in bondage and to keep us from the abundant life God offers us. On the other hand, walking in forgiveness is incredibly liberating. Forgiveness is a deliberate choice, not a feeling. It does not require trust, nor does it mean we forget. But for those who desire lasting freedom, forgiveness is not optional.